“That doesn’t begin to describe it. The only reason I haven’t hit you is because I saw you were terrified too.”
“I?” Hew reared back.
“When you came through the trees, the look on your face was abject fear.”
“Ah.” Hew shrugged. He didn’t remember what he’d felt in that moment. He’d only wanted to see Belle and be certain she was unharmed. “Your daughter was about to brain me with a tree branch. That would scare anyone.”
Howard gave him a long look.
Hew shifted and cleared his throat. “I actually had planned to speak to you, sir. I thought it might be best to wait until the morning, after you’d rested and had some time with Belle—er, Miss Howard.”
“Speak now.”
“Right.” Hew had also thought he might have time to think what to say, or at least how to say what he must. But perhaps it was best to plunge right in and take the hits as they came. “I want to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
Howard’s brows shot up. “Why?”
Hew stared at the fire, wishing it might swallow him up. “While you were away, we became rather close. Physically. Last night or perhaps the night before...” How the hell was he supposed to tell Belle’s father that he’d deflowered her?
“The answer is no,” Howard said.
Hew blinked. “What?”
Howard rose. “Good night, sir.” He was halfway across the room before Hew found his feet and raced to stand in front of him.
“Why? I just told you I—er, I have to marry her. It’s the only honorable thing to do.”
“And do you think my daughter or I care about honor? That’s a concept your class invented. If you want to marry Belle, you get her consent. I won’t agree without it. But as it stands right now, I wouldn’t agree even if you had it—not that she needs my agreement. She’s an adult woman.” He started away again but Hew blocked his exit. Howard glared at him.
“Why wouldn’t you agree? I can take care of her. I’ll treat her well.”
“Like you did last night? Allowing her to put herself in danger?”
“Nothing like that will ever happen again, I swear to you.”
“Bah.” He waved a hand, dismissing Hew’s assurances. “The answer is no.”
“Sir!” Hew said as Howard walked away. “Sir, I swear to you I will keep her safe.”
Howard kept walking.
“I love her.”
Howard stopped. “Say again.”
“I...” Hew swallowed. “I love her.”
Howard turned around and Hew was struck by the smile on his face. “That was what I wanted to hear.”
Hew closed his eyes, his heart thundering. He’d really thought he might lose Belle, and he couldn’t deal with such a close call again tonight. “I didn’t want to marry again. I thought I might love her without marrying her, but—”
“But then I would have to shoot you in the...foot?”
Hew smiled. “There was that. Also I realized that I love her, and with love comes trust. I never thought—”
“Young man,” Howard interrupted. “Save all of this for Belle. I promise you will need every word to convince her to marry you.”
“She’s been telling me I will beg her to marry me for days now.”
